Jul 02, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Studio Ghibli brings Totoro Soot Sprites out of the anime shadows for a new bag and pouch collection Supporting characters from My Neighbour Totoro are the star of this new merchandise range. Studio Ghibli has such a talent for animated character design that it even manages to make clumps of soot...
Jul 02, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country As of July, it now costs more both to enter and leave Japan. Last week, the Japanese government decided “Hey, let’s raise the fees for foreigners who need a visa to enter the country by 400 percent...
Jul 02, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir Conquer Japan’s tallest mountain in style with a lineup born from the restoration of an ancient pilgrimage path. The ultimate symbol of Japan, Mt. Fuji, has long played a role in the culture of the...
Jul 02, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- 7-Eleven Japan has a lot of famous food, but its new burrito needs to be on your radar Amongst all the viral convenience store food finds, this is a hidden gem. 7-Eleven Japan is known for many things, like coffees, sandwiches and smoothies, but one thing you might not know about the...
Jul 02, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Studio Ghibli adds a new Jiji mini bag to its anime merchandise shop in Japan Clever use of sagara embroidery gives the beautiful black feline a fur-like feel. Not every outing calls for a large bag, especially in Japan where many people shop for groceries regularly or carr...
Jul 01, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Mos Burger opens fancy burger shop and bar in Ginza, Tokyo Mosh is a posh Mos. Mos Burger has been a fixture in the Japanese fast food scene for decades, but as we’ve seen from chains that have found success and chains that just seem to fizzle, constant in...
Jul 01, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Japanese overnight sightseeing train returns for summer with ramen stops and ocean views This train turns the journey from Kyoto into a holiday highlight. One of Japan’s most unique sightseeing trains is about to return for another summer season, with the West Express Ginga set to beg...
Jul 01, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Japan’s Mocchurin donuts declared too popular to exist by creator Mister Donut, will disappear soon Mister Donut saw all the Mocchurin that it had made, and they were very good…too good, in fact. Sadly, not every attempted innovation in the world of sweets pans out. Sometimes, would-be mad genius...
Jul 01, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Studio Ghibli mini towels add anime flair to a Japanese cultural tradition Beloved Ghibli characters want to hold your hand and welcome you into the Japanese world of mini towels. If you’ve ever been to a restroom in Japan that doesn’t have an automatic hand dryer, then y...
Jul 01, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Japan’s Pokémon mailboxes saved from removal with last-minute extension on final day Pikachu, Eevee, and Piplup get new leases on life in Yokohama, and it’s thanks to fans. After many days of gloomy conditions, the city of Yokohama finally got a break from the dark, rainy weather o...
Jul 01, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Japanese convenience store coffees are now bigger than ever, thanks to the new “Deka Drink” trend Family Mart and Lawson go head-to-head in a supersized coffee showdown. Convenience store coffees are big right now, literally, with the rise of what locals are referring to as the “Deka Drink”. Li...
Jul 01, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Japan’s new pettably fuzzy cat-shaped earbud chargers meow to let you know their status[Video] Neko also has a three-minute purr mode for relaxing to. “…but what if we made it look like a cat?” is a question Japanese designers ask with commendable frequency. Recently, we’ve seen the answers ...
Jun 30, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Why you shouldn’t feel guilty about using manga for studying and the top series for learning Survey reveals that the power of storytelling in manga can do a lot for learning more about the world around us. Was there ever a time growing up when you got yelled at for reading comics instead o...
Jun 30, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Sleep at Hoshinoya Nara Prison, one of the most unique hotels in Japan One-of-a-kind accommodation includes former prison cells that have been transformed into guest rooms. If you’re looking for a unique place to stay in Japan, then Hoshinoya Nara Prison might just fi...
Jun 30, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Live-action Persona adaptation to be produced by Netflix, probably not set in Japan Has enough of Persona’s identity been retained to keep fans happy? As audiences show signs of comic book superhero fatigue, an increasing number of Hollywood executives are looking to video games a...
Jun 30, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- We try out the joys of Japan’s kakuuchi wine vending machine A new take on a fading part of Japanese drinking culture. Our Japanese-language writer Kouhey was feeling thirsty while out and about the other day, and so he decided to treat himself to a glass of...
Jun 30, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Speed trap camera stolen from Saitama Police while in use They must have stolen it very quickly, but it looks like we’ll never know how fast they were going. When it comes to catching motorists driving too fast in Japan, speed traps are sometimes referred...
Jun 30, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Tokyo has only two barley tea makers, and we visited one to see how mugicha is made With barley tea going into glasses as the weather heats up, we find out what goes into making barley tea. With summertime here, people in Japan are increasingly reaching for one of its favorite dri...
Jun 30, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- New live-action Pokémon adaptation announced for Pokémon Unite News of fifth-anniversary project for the Pokémon MOBA mobile game is drawing a mixed reaction. Adapting a franchise with as whimsical a setting as Pokémon to live-action is no easy feat, but 2019’...
Jun 29, 2026 from SoraNews24 -Japan News- Studio Ghibli combines anime and craftsmanship in new Totoro and Jiji Gobelin tapestry bags Traditional craft brings hand-drawn anime characters to life with unique warmth. Studio Ghibli is known for championing old-school traditions through its animated storylines and love of hand-drawn ...
